USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Memorial record of distinguished men of Indianapolis and Indiana > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
Powell Howland, who established the Howland family in Indiana, was the son of Elisha Howland, of Saratoga, New York. Powell Howland was born in the Empire state, on the 16th of October, 1799. He was born in the old town of Sara- toga, within four miles of Burgoyne's defeat, and as a child listened with bated breath to the story of that glorious American victory. He remained in New York as a farmer until the 18th of October, 1839, when he set out on the journey he had decided to take to the west. He came to Marion county, and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres from Benjamin Purcell, about four miles north of what was then the city, on the Noblesville road. Here he settled and watching his oppor- tunities, added to his holdings until the farm aggregated three hundred and fifteen acres. He took a keen interest in fruit growing as well as in agriculture, and was widely known for the fine quality of his grapes and pears. His farm and the buildings upon it were the picture of thrift and industry and comfort. Mr. How- land never sought office but he was elected one of the county commissioners and was also sent to the house of representatives from his county. He felt the necessity of schools in this new country and to encourage the erection of one he donated a half an acre of his own land for a site. The schoolhouse was built, and most of his children received their education therein. He was a personal friend of the late Governor Joseph A. Wright, who resided with his family for some time under the hospitable roof of Mr. Howland. He was married in the county of his na- tivity on the 2d of September, 1823, to Miss Mahala Thurber. He lived to see many presidential administrations, casting his first vote for General Jackson in 1824. He is spoken of by one of his children at one of the reunions of the family as being a "noble peer of mickle trust and might, and where he dwelt all were benefited, his was a truly grand character." The tribute which follows to both father and mother is too long to quote, but the writer concludes, in terms show- ing the spirit of the family: "Let us emulate their example and indeed strive to shed lustre on the name, for whilst it is pleasant to know that you come of noble ancestry, it is as naught if we ourselves are lacking."
Charles Abraham Howland was the son of Powell Howland, and was born in
459
Charles Abraham Dowland
Saratoga county, New York, on the 24th of February, 1830. He came to Marion county with his parents in 1839, and spent his boyhood on his father's farm. This farm, which was then several miles from the city, is now within throwing distance of the corporate limits. Charles Howland was the youngest of nine children and in these pioneer days he early learned to work. He received his education in the schoolhouse built on his father's farm, where his brother, Elisha J. was one of the first teachers. He did not have time for much study of books, for the work of the farm was strenuous in those days and even his boyish strength was needed. He was essentially a self-made man, but here the years of culture in the family history proved the truth of the doctrine of inherited characteristics, for he by his own efforts acquired a good education, his mind seeming to be particularly able to absorb learning of any sort. When Charles Howland reached maturity he bought land from his father and with the assistance of his wife started bravely into the struggle for existence. He was of those men of great determination who when they set their minds on a thing seldom fail to obtain it.
As a farmer he inherited the ability of his father and in addition to the land which he bought from him he also acquired a fine piece of property, consisting of three hundred acres northeast of Broad Ripple. He was an active member of the State Agricultural Association, and after he had become prosperous and when his time was very fully occupied with the care of his big place, he served as one of the officials of the association and was a prominent member of the board of di- rectors. He was an enthusiastic member of the Republican party, and received the honor of being elected to the county board of commissioners. His keen and far- sighted brain saw an opportunity not only of benefiting himself, but of assisting the growth of the city, when the electric line from Indianapolis to Anderson and Mun- cie was under construction. He refused the builders the right of way through his farm unless a five cent fare clause was granted. He demanded that one fare only should be paid from the farther end of his farm to the city, and although every means was resorted to in order to persuade him to give up his idea, he was obdu- rate. Seeing that he was immovable, the railroad company, notwithstanding the fact that the Keystone station is considerably beyond the city limits, charge only one fare. The result of this astute move of Mr. Howland is that many Indian- apolis people are building residences in what is now the Howland addition. Mr. Howland died on the 12th of April, 1910, in the old homestead, which was a part of the property he bought from his father.
Charles Howland was very active in church circles, first in the Robert Parks church, and later in the Ebenezer Lutheran church, which is located near the homestead. He had the gift of organization, highly developed, and was very suc- cessful as superintendent of this Sunday-school and of that of the Sugar Grove Methodist church Mapleton. He was married to Helen Bacon, a daughter of Hiram Bacon and Alice (Clair) Bacon, both of whom were born in Marion county, Indiana. The Bacon homestead was what is now Malott Park. Mrs. Howland was the oldest of eleven children, and was a most worthy helpmeet throughout the years of her married life. Her father, Squire Bacon, assisted in the building of the First Presbyterian church in Indianapolis, consequently Mrs. Howland was a member of this church. Although she assisted her husband in his church work, she never withdrew from the church to which she was bound by such strong ties. The How- land family holds an annual reunion on the 17th of October, the date of the coming of Powell Howland to Indiana, and these reunions are great events in the history
460
Charles Abraham Dowland
of the family. They serve to keep the family together, and to inspire them with a determination to live up to the example set them by their illustrious forebears.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Howland were four, of whom the two sons are dead. The eldest, Mahala Alice Howland, married William D. Seaton, of Indianapolis, on the 21st of February, 1872. For forty years Mr. Seaton con- ducted the William D. Seaton hat store, at No. 29 Pennsylvania street. He is one of the best known business men in Indianapolis; a man upon whom all men rely, known for his fine character as well as for his business ability. He has recently sold his business, to good advantage, Burkhardt Brothers, of Cincinnati, being the purchasers. Mr. and Mrs. Seaton live in the old homestead, and are living again in the lives of their children. Mr. Seaton never knew what it was to take a real rest until he sold his business, and he is thoroughly enjoying the luxury which so few Americans ever have. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Seaton numbered four, but death has carried one of these into the Great Beyond. It will not do to pass over the life of Doctor William Howland Seaton, the eldest of these children, with a mere mention, for he was a man of great prominence in the community and was not only a skillful practitioner but a fine type of American manhood.
William Howland Seaton was graduated from the Indiana Medical College and then took post graduate courses at two of the finest colleges in New York City. He finished this work in 1894, and then came back to the city of his birth. He was a specialist, and he had not been in practice long before his ability was recog- nized. For a young man his success was most unusual, and his confreres often wondered how he managed to secure as large a practice so quickly. They did not doubt his ability, nevertheless they wondered. The secret lay in the very fact that made him so popular with his own profession, that is he was so intensely human. He treated a patient as a friend, and one felt the warm human sympathy with which he was overflowing. He had the power of drawing men to him, and once a man became a friend of his he never turned from him. The power to win and keep friends; how many of his gifted brethren would give all of their fame and fortune for this gift! It lay not in any peculiar magnetic power but in his creed of brotherly love. He thought little of self and much of others. Dr. Seaton was a member of the Marion and other social clubs and was a Mason. He was married on the 2d of June, 1897, to Miss Blanche Brown, a daughter of Mrs. Katherine Wright Brown, of the Blacherne. He was ill for a long time, having a severe attack of meningitis. For nine weeks he was in a very dangerous condition, but his splendid physical strength and the firm deter- mination which he had to get well carried him through the crisis, and he recovered. He was apparently completely cured and was once more devoting himself to his profession when he suffered a fatal relapse. It was discovered that medicine was useless and an operation was necessary. There was no hope of Dr. Seaton's re- covery without the operation, and it was very doubtful whether he would be able to recover from the shock, but there was nothing to do but to operate. The finest surgeons in the city conducted the operation, which was one of the most perfectly performed ones in the history of the local medical profession. Dr. Seaton recov- ered from the effects of the anaesthetic, and it was believed that his remarkable vitality would bring him through, but he slowly sank and died about ten hours after the operation. The members of the Marion County Medical Society as a mark of respect attended the funeral of Dr. Seaton in a body and the following resolutions were passed by the above society: "The Marion County Medical So-
461
Charles Abraham Dowland
ciety has learned with deep regret of the death of Dr. William H. Seaton. With marked natural ability he combined industry and executive ability, and unusually early gained a liberal practice. In his death we recognize the end of a promising career. The sympathy of the society is hereby extended to his sorely tried and bereaved wife and to his family so long identified in an honorable way with this community."
The second son of Mr. and Mrs. Seaton is also a physician, who is now living at home. He is a graduate of the Indianapolis Medical College, and is medical director of the Meridian Life Insurance Company of Indianapolis. He is rapidly winning prominence in his profession, and as a young physician of great promise is well known in medical circles throughout the city. Mary Seaton, the daughter, is the wife of George Crozier Moore. He is identified with the Federal Surety Company, one of the most reliable firms in Indianapolis, and he and his wife make their home at Keystone and Southerland avenues. Another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Seaton is Helen, who married Guy E. Hawkins and lives with Mr. and Mrs. Seaton. The characteristics which made of the Howlands of old makers and moulders of the nation crop forth again in the Seaton family. They are charac- terized by their independence of thought, their high ideals, their true refinement, their strength in time of trial, and their charity and kindness to all men.
The first child of Charles A. Howland and his wife was Powell Howland, who died. The next son was Hiram Bacon.
Hiram Bacon Howland was a very prominent farmer and stock raiser. He was a member of the State Board of Agriculture and was consequently one of the best known men in Indiana. He was born on the old Howland Homestead, and was given by his father the farm at Broad Ripple of 300 acres. For two terms before his death he was general superintendent of the Fair Grounds and he was exceedingly active and interested in the success of the exhibitions. He lived near the grounds and consequently took a personal interest in seeing that they were kept in good condition. He made frequent visits to see that the property was not being injured, and during Fair time he was always to be found attending to the wants of the visitors to the exhibition. A few weeks before his death he had acted as starter in the races at the Shelby county fair, and up until a short time before his death had been busy about the Fair Grounds. He was a member of the Governor's staff, and the number of his friends throughout the state could scarcely be reckoned. He had served on the State Board of Agriculture for eight years and his sudden death was a great shock to his friends. He was a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk, and a member of the Columbia Club. He was a prominent figure on the staff of Governor Mount. He was only forty-six at the time of his death, and his widow, who was Carrie Green, of Easton, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Judge Samuel Green, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, is now living at her old home in Easton. Five children were born to them, of whom all are living. Alice (Howland) Bond, has three children, and Anna (Howland) Whitesell, has two children.
The youngest of the Howland family is Mary Ellen Howland. She married Benjamin C. Bancroft and now lives in Denver, Colorado. Her husband is quite well known in literary circles, being a man of brilliant intellectual attainments. He is identified with the Curtis Publishing Company. Their daughter, who is Helen Thomas, lives in St. Louis, Missouri. The son, Howland Bancroft, is a mining engineer of considerable prominence. He is at present in the employ of the government at Washington, D. C., having recently returned from South Amer-
462
Charles Abraham Dowland
ica, where he had been on government business. His is another that the University of Michigan may add to the long list of illustrious names on the honor roll of her alumni. Alice Bancroft lives at home and the youngest son, George Bancroft, is deceased.
With this record of fine men and noble women the history of the Howland family comes to a close, and it is only just to prophesy that the younger generation will follow in the steps of the elder and remember that they have in their veins the blood of men and women who have lived to the glory of God and their country. It is a wonderful heritage, and should spur them on to attempt the highest deeds and live the noblest lives.
George T. Coans
'T HAS been well said that discontent is the daughter of ambition I and the mother of endeavor and progress. Such wise discon- tent could not have been absent in the makeup of the late George Thomas Evans, who was for half a century one of the honored citizens of Indianapolis and who here achieved distinctive suc- cess through well directed effort,-an effort prompted by this same discontent or dissatisfaction with any stage of progress which offered possibilities for still further advancement. He marked the passing years with vigorous and intelligent endeavor, and the results inured not only to his own prosperity but also to the industrial and civic development of the city which was so long his home and in which his interests ever centered. Mr. Evans was large of mind and large of heart; he placed just valuations upon all things; he was animated by a tolerant sympathy for those less endowed or less fortunate than him- self, and his very presence was cheering and invigorating. His great genial soul endeared him to those with whom he came in contact in the various relations of life and when his sudden death came, as the result of a most distressing accident, the sense of personal loss and bereavement manifested by the people of his home city was unqualified. He had the strength and freedom to pursue the purposes of hope, and in making life good for himself, he also made it good for others. Indianapolis figured as the stage of his achievement, which was large, and here, where he was best known, he was most loved. Thus there is all' of consistency in according to him- the man, the citizen, the friend-a definite tribute and memoir in this edition, dedi- cated to those who have been factors in the social and material activities of the In- diana capital and who have now passed from the scene of their mortal endeavors.
George Thomas Evans was born at Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio, on the 17th of September, 1838, and his death occurred in the city of Chicago, on the 12th of November, 1909, as the result of injuries received by being struck by a street car a few hours previously. He and his wife had gone for a visit and were on their way to their hotel when he was thus stricken down. . Mr. Evans was the third of four sons, all of whom are now deceased, the family including in addition, two half brothers and five half sisters by a previous marriage of his father. His parents were numbered among the honored pioneers of the old Buckeye state-persons of sterling worth of character and known as devoted members of the Society of Friends, the teachings and simple faith of which they exemplified in their daily lives.
To the schools of his native place Mr. Evans was indebted for his early educa- tion, which was supplemented by academic studies in Earlham College, the noble institution which has long been conducted at Richmond, Indiana, under the auspices of the Society of Friends. His intellectual powers were excellent and his ambition was one of definite action. Such a man could not remain in obscurity. In 1861, as a young man of twenty-three years, Mr. Evans came to Indianapolis, where he engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil. He was the pioneer in this line of
463
464
George U. Ebans
industry in the Indiana metropolis and was the founder of the business conducted under the title of the Evans Linseed Oil Company, in which enterprise his two brothers, William and Joseph were later identified for some time. He finally dis- posed of his interest in this enterprise, which had become one of substantial order under his aggressive and able supervision, and became associated with his father- in-law, James E. Robertson, in the wholesale grocery trade.
The ambitious young man, however, missed the inspiriting hum and whir of machinery and he soon withdrew from the wholesale grocery business and turned his attention to the flour milling industry, with which he continued to be actively and successfully identified during the residue of his long and successful life. A part- nership was formed in 1881 under the name of Richardson & Evans for the owner- ship and operation of the old Hoosier mill on West Washington street. This con- cern soon felt the impetus of his dominating energy and progressive policies, and it gained precedence in the scope and importance of its operations. Twelve years later the firm became Geo. T. Evans & Son, which partnership continued until March, 1909, when the business was consolidated with that of the Acme Milling Company, under the title of Acme-Evans Company, one of the largest milling con- cerns in the Central West. Of this corporation he was president and a stockholder until his death.
Mr. Evans was not alone interested in making his business enterprise a large and worthy success, but he also had due appreciation of its incidental value in furthering the industrial prestige of the city. Under these conditions he never abated his progressiveness and he had the satisfaction of being the prime force in the upbuilding of one of the large and important industrial and commercial enter- prises of Indianapolis. In many other directions he showed, in a characteristic- ally quiet and unostentatious way, his abiding interest in all that touched the welfare of his home city, and his public spirit was one of constant and well directed help- fulness. The honors or emoluments of political office had naught of allurement for him, but he was firm in his convictions concerning matters of public import and accorded a staunch allegiance to the Republican party. He was a valued member of the Indianapolis Board of Trade and also of the Columbia Club, one of the representative social organizations of the city. He was a birth-right member of the Society of Friends, the teachings of whose simple and noble faith developed his intrinsic sympathy and kindliness and prompted him to extend a helping hand to those in affliction and distress, ever without parade or ostentation, and to give his cooperation in the furtherance of all worthy philanthropic and benevolent objects.
On the 24th of January, 1865, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Evans to Miss Mary Robertson, daughter of James E. and Eliza Thompson Robertson, of Indianapolis. Mr. Robertson was long numbered among the representative business men of Indianapolis and is now one of its most venerable and honored pioneer cit- izens, his age at the time of this writing, in 1912, being ninety-three years. He is well preserved in mental and physical faculties, notwithstanding his advanced age.
To Mr. and Mrs. Evans was born one son Freddie, a child of great promise, who died at the age of three years. Shortly afterwards they adopted under the name of Edgar H. Evans one of the children of a widow in ill health and reduced circum- stances, a member of an old New England family noted for its high intellectual and moral standing.
Mrs. Evans and her son Edgar H. Evans hold a more than controlling interest in Acme-Evans Company, of which the son is now president. He is also president
465
George T. Cbans
of the Indianapolis Board of Trade. As a business man and loyal and progres- sive citizen, he is well upholding the prestige of the honored name which he bears and is an aggressive factor in the industrial and civic activities of the "Greater Indianapolis." Mrs. Evans still resides in her beautiful homestead, at 1018 North Meridian street, in the most exclusive residence section of the city. This has been her abiding place from the time of her marriage, nearly half a century ago, when the property was located just outside the then city limits. The handsome home has been a center of most gracious hospitality which has endeared it to a large circle of friends.
Edgar H. Evans was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., July 18, 1870. On the 18th of April, 1899, he wedded Miss Ella Laura Malott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Volney T. Malott, of one of the oldest and most substantial families of Indian- apolis. There were three children of this union-Eleanor, Mary and Caroline (the last now deceased).
In conclusion of this brief memoir it is gratifying to offer the following estimate which appeared in the editorial columns of one of the leading Indianapolis daily papers at the time of the death of Mr. Evans:
"The death, by accident, in Chicago, of George T. Evans will be a shock indeed to his large circle of friends and acquaintances. He had been for many years one of the city's foremost manufacturers. From small beginnings he had come to the front rank, where his force of character made him known and marked. But with his business he kept alive the social side of life and there were few more attractive men in the hour of relaxation. He had a wide fund of information, a kindly feeling and the social instinct that seeks to draw out and make the best of the excellencies of others. He was, in short an 'all-round' character-a man who had given a good account of himself in life; who made the world a better and worthier place as far as his efforts reached."
The following taken from the "Northwestern Miller" of Minneapolis shows the high regard of the milling business for Mr. Evans:
"It takes but a short paragraph or two to relate the bare facts of a milling ex- perience of nearly half a century ; the business biography of a miller may be told in a few words, yet to those who stop to consider the story of steady and consistent ef- fort, the years of doubt and struggle, the various problems met and solved. the changing conditions of all these years which such a career implies, a life such as this means a very busy and useful existence. Measured by good deeds, done with- out ostentation, by an influence always exerted manfully and frankly for those things which he believed to be right and by a consistent adherence to true and sound principles, the career of Mr. Evans was a notable one. Determined and aggres- sive in his assertion of his beliefs, outspoken and uncompromising, Mr. Evans was forceful and stanch. There was never the slightest doubt where he stood upon any public question, and it made little difference to him whether he was in the minority or otherwise. He yielded to no one in his sturdy support of those things he believed to be just and right, and seemed to relish nothing better than to fight against great odds. A fine strong character has passed away from among us, and the Northwestern Miller, in company with the trade it represents, mourns the death of this steadfast and high-principled gentleman."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.